Mailable carton



y 14, 1964 H. R. HALL ETAL 3,140,812

MAILABLE CARTON Filed Aug. 2 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HARE/sou IRA ALL A/? lsw/s fis/as ATTORNEY y 14, 1964 H. R. HALL ETAL 3,

MAILABLE CARTON Filed Aug. 24 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS AND Lew/6 PEAS ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,149,312 Patented July 14, 1964 3,140,812 MAILABLE GARTON Harrison R. Hall, 21 Morningside Drive, Painted Post, N.Y., and Lewis P. Reas, Canal St, Big Flats, N.Y. Filed Aug. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 219,187 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-39) This invention relates to improved carton or container structure and the blank for forming same, and more particularly to a completely self-contained mailable carton provided with a concealable or foldable carrying handle and positive-locking closure flaps.

In the past, it has been necessary to either bind cartons to be mailed with metallic straps, cords, and the like, or to seal such cartons with adhesives or tape in order to insure that the carton remained closed during transit. This not only materially increases the cost of shipping and necessitates time-consuming preparation, but also is extremely cumbersome and burdensome, especially when the ultimate consumer is the individual who has to prepare the cartons for mailing.

In addition to the convenience offered by packaging consumer items in a readily mailable carton, it is also desirable for consumer appeal, particularly when packaging frangible, bulky, or semi-heavy consumer items, to offer a carton which may be easily carried by the consumer from the retail shelves. To fulfill the latter requirement, it is, of course, necessary to provide the carton with carrying means, such as a handle portion. However, in order to achieve the former requisite of mailability, it is not only necessary that the handle be foldable or concealable within the package for mailing, but also that the end closures be positively locked so as to prevent accidental opening of the carton When in the mail or while being carried.

Ease of carton assembly from the blank, such as when packaging the consumer item, must also be taken into consideration, and accordingly, the use of costly and timeconsuming adhesives or tapes for sealing the bottom end closure is undesirable. Further, since the consumer may desire to either personally carry the carton or inspect the contents thereof before depositing it in the mail, it is apparent that a destructible or one-use sealing means such as adhesive or tape could not feasibly be utilized to secure the top closure members in a positive locked position.

Basically our invention relates to an easily assembled mailable carton which may be conveniently hand carried, wherein the carton is provided with a set f-locking bottom end portion and a positive locking top end portion, both of which may be secured in a closed position without the aid of binders, adhesives, or tape. In addition, the top end portion is provided with a carrying handle which is normally folded or concealed within the carton for facilitating the stacking or mailing of such carton.

It thus has been an object of our invention to provide an improved readily mailable carton having a concealable handle means for facilitating the hand carrying thereof.

A further object of our invention is to provide an easily assembled carton having a bottom end portion provided with self-locking closure flaps.

An additional object of our invention has been to provide a positive locking but readily openable carton which is suitable for mailing, as, is, without requiring the utilization of adhesives, tapes, or binding means.

A still further object of our invention has been to provide an improved blank for forming an easily assembled mailable carton provided with concealable carrying means.

An additional object of our invention has been to provide a carton having improved top closure flaps which may be positively locked or secured in a closed position with a carrying handle in either an extended carrying position or a folded or concealed mailable or stacking position.

These and other objects of our invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following disclosure and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton embodying our invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a carton embodying our invention and formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 1, illustrating the top end portion in a closed position with the handle portions in their extended or carrying position.

FIGURE 2a is a fragmental perspective view of a carton embodying our invention showing the closure flaps of the top end portion in a partially closed position with the handle in its extended carrying position.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a carton embodying our invention showing the bottom end portion in a closed locked position; and

FIGURE 3a is a fragmental perspective view showing the closure flaps of the bottom end portion in a partially closed position preparatory to securing them in their locked position.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1, a blank 10 is shown for forming our improved carton. The blank 10 includes a rear panel 21, side panels 31, 51, a front panel 41 and a glue flap 11. The panels 21, 31, 41, 51, and flap 11 are separated by crease or score lines 22, 32, 42, and 52, respectively. An outer end closure flap or lid 23 is formed integrally with rear panel 21 and separated therefrom by a crease or score line 24. Inner end closure flaps 33, 53 are formed integrally with side panels 31, 51, respectively, and separated from such panels by creases or score lines 34, 54.

The outer end of closure flap 23 is provided with a center tongue 12 and a pair of spaced apart outer flange portions 15, connected to the flap 23 by means of an intermittent crease or fold line 13. A backward C-shaped cut, such as a knife cut, is formed between each of the flange portions 15 and flap 23, substantially along crease 13. The longitudinal portion of the cut 14, however, is slightly off-set with respect to the crease 13 so that they each form an opening 14 when the flange portions 15 are folded downwardly along crease or fold line 13 (see FIG- URE 2a). The flange portions 15 and tongue 12, extending outwardly from flap 23, form recessed portions 20 therebetween. A small perforated tab 16 may be formed along one edge of the end closure flap or lid 23, and have the price of the item packaged within the carton printed thereon. Accordingly, if the customer desires to purchase the item as a present, he may easily remove the price thereof from the package by merely tearing out the perforated tab 16.

The front panel 41 is provided with a pair of spacedapart projections along one edge thereof, which form a pair of locking tabs 17. A pair of cuts 18 extend each of the locking tabs 17 into the front panel 41. The tabs are each provided with deep scores 19 which facilitate easy manipulation thereof. A handle portion 62 is formed integral with an edge of front panel 41, intermediate the locking tabs 17. The handle portion 62 is provided with crease or score lines 63 adjacent the edge of front panel 41 so as to permit the handle to be easily folded downwardly with respect to the front panel. A recess or cut out portion 60 is formed within the center of the handle portion 62, not only to facilitate the grasping of the handle but also for reasons which will become apparent. A recessed portion 64 is provided in each of the inner closure flaps 33, 53 so that the flaps will not interfere with the locking tabs 17 when they are in their locked position within the openings 14 formed by the knife cuts 14.

A slotted lower end closure flap 25 is formed integral with rear panel 21 and separated therefrom by means of a crease or score line 26. End closure flaps 35 and 55 are formed integral with side panels 31 and 51 respectively and separated from such panels by crease or score line 36 and '56. A tongued'end closure flap'45-is formed integral-with front panel '41 and separated therefrom by meansof a score or crease 46.

The end closure flap 25 is provided with a. squashed T-shaped slot 27 having a short stem portion 28 forming edge or corner portions 29 where it intersects the longitudinally extending portion. The closure flaps 35, 55am provided with a diagonal edge 37, 57 respectively. The diagonal-edges are formed so that when theend closure flaps are in their closed position, a portion of each of the diagonal edges will overlie one of the corner portions 29. The end closure flap 45 has a locking tongue portion 47 at its outer end, connected to a diverging inner end portion 48 by means of recessed catch portions- 49, which cooperate with the stem portion 28 of slot 27 to lock the lower end portion in its closed position.

In assemblying a carton from the blank 10, the various panels 21, 31, 4'1, 51, andglue flap 11 are folded into a tubular configuration along creases 22, 32, 42, and 52. A suitable adhesive or glue is applied along the glue flap 11 which is then secured to an inner surface edge portion of the rear panel 21. The bottom closure flaps, forming the bottom end portion of the carton, are then assembled into a closed and locked position as shown in FIGURES 3 and 3a.

Slotted end closure flap 25 is first folded inwardly along score line 26 to an angle of about 90 with the rear panel 21. End closure flaps 35 and 55 are then folded inwardly along score lines 36 and 56, respectively, so as to lie adjacent flap 25, wherein diagonal edges 37 and 57 each extend across one of 'the corner portions 29. Tongued'flap 45 is then folded inwardlyalong crease or score 46, depressing flap 25 inwardly until the locking tongue portion 47 enters the longitudinal section of T- slot 27, at which time the resiliency of the score line 26 snaps the flap-25 outwardly until itabuts end flaps 35, 55.

Since the diverging inner portion 48'of 'flap 45 overlies the outer end of flaps 35 and 55, these flaps limit and restrain the outward movement of flap 25. Further, the recessed catch portions 49 of flap 45 cooperably engage the side edge portions of the stem portion 28 of slot 27 and lock the bottom end portion in a closed position. Since the tongue portion 47 is'extended outwardly beyond the recessed portions 49, the bottom closure portion of the carton is, in effect, self-locking, and the flap 45 cannot slip out of the slot 27 in flap 25. Accordingly, any

outward force exerted on the bottom or closure end portion of the carton, such as by themerchandise packaged, therewithin, actually increases the degree of locking effected by the lower end closure flaps.

After the lower end portion of the-carton has been assembled as previously described, and merchandise positioned therewithin,the upper closure flaps are then folded intoa positive locked position, whichis suitable for mailing without requiring additional adhesives, binding, or tape. Inner closure flaps 33 and 53 are first folded downwardly along score or crease lines 34 and 54, respectively, so as tolie in substantially the same plane and form an angle of approximately 90 with their respective side panels. Handle portion '62 is folded inwardly along crease 63 so as to overlie closure flaps 33 and 53.

Center tongue 12 and flange portions 15 of outer end flap 23 are then folded along score line 13 so as to form an angle of approximately 90 with the plane of flap 23, and the flap is folded along score line 24 to form an angle of approximately 90 with the rear panel 21. During the downward movement of outer end closure flap 23, the center tongue 12 is directed through portion 60 of handle 62 and positioned within the carton adjacent the upper portion of the inner surfaceof the panel 41. This posi- 4 tionment of center tongue 12 not only eliminates an exposed corrugated edge adjacent the handle 62, but also prevents the bowing of the center section of panel 41 and flap 23. The spaced-apart flange portions 15 are also guided so as to be positioned within the carton adjacent panel 41. When the flange portions 15 are folded along crease line 13, the'backward G-shaped cuts 14 produce open portions 14 which, when the outer flap or lid is in its closed position extend forwardly of the carton.

The locking tabs 17 are then folded along their scores 19 and positioned through the open portions 14' to positively lock the outer end closure flap or lid 23 in its closed position. The recesses 64, formed in the inner closure flaps 33,53, permit the insertion of the locking tabs 17 through the open portions 14' without interfering with the flaps 33 and 53. When the carton is assembled in such a closed and locked position as heretofore described, it may be easily stacked upon another such carton or sent through the mail without requiring additional locking or securing media.

If the purchaser should desire to carry the package,'he would merely open the upper closure portion 23 by removing locking tabs 17 from open portions 14' and extend the concealed or folded handle portion 62 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 211. With the handle portion 62 extended, the outer lid 23 is then folded downwardly with the center tongue 12 and flange portions 15 projecting within the carton adjacent the inner surface of front panel 41. The locking tabs 17 are then positioned within the open'portions 14' to securely lock the lid in its closed position. Due to the fact that the handle portion 62 is formed integrally with the front panel portion 41, the handle adequately supports the carton and contents pack aged therewithin with the outer closure flap or lid 23 positively locked in a closed position by locking tabe 17.

Further, due to the self-locking effect of the bottom 010- sure portion, the weight of the contents within the carton increases the locking effect produced by the bottom end closure flaps.

Although we have disclosed our new preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

'1. A mailable carton having a plurality of bounding wall panels closed at one end and an improved positivelocking end closure portion which comprises, an outer lid formed integrally with one of said bounding wall panels, a central tongue portion and a pair of side portions formed along an outer edge of said lid and separated therefrom by a plurality of crease lines, a plurality of open portions formed along the crease lines adjacent said side tongue portions when such tongue portions are folded therealong, a plurality of locking tabs formed integrally with and extending from a second of said wall panels opposite said one wall panel, a plurality of end flaps formed integrally with wall panels intermediate said one and said second wall panel, a crease line separating each of said end flaps from its respective wall panel, said end flaps being foldrecessed portions of said end'flaps.

2. An improved-mailable carton having a self-locking bottom end closure and a positive-locking top end closure provided with concealable carrying handle means which comprises, a plurality of wall panels, a plurality of interlocking bottom end closure flaps formed integrally with said wall panels and separated therefrom by fold lines, an upper outer lid having a central tongue portion and a pair of spaced-apart flange portions along its outer end foldable along crease lines with respect to said outer lid, a pair of open portions formed along certain of said crease lines adjacent said flange portions when such portions are folded therealong, said outer lid being foldably secured to one of said wall panels, a plurality of locking tabs formed integrally with and extending outwardly from one edge of a second wall panel opposite said one wall panel and in alignment with said open portions, a pair of flaps each foldably secured to a wall panel intermedi ate said one and second wall panels, a forwardly opened recessed portion formed in each of said end flaps in alignment with said locking tabs to receive such tabs therewithin, said end flaps being foldable so as to lie in a substantially common plane, said outer lid being foldable over said folded end flaps with said central tongue portion and flanged portions thereof positioned within the carton adjacent an inner surface of said second wall panel, said locking tabs being positionable through said open portions and within said recessed portions to positively lock said lid and said end flaps in a closed mailable position, and a handle portion formed integrally with an upper edge of said second wall panel intermediate said locking tabs foldable with respect to such panel between a concealed position beneath said outer lid and an upright carrying position projecting above said lid.

3. An improved mailable carton whose end portions may be assembled into a closed and locked position solely by manipulating the blank forming such carton which comprises, a rear panel, a front panel, and a pair of side panels, a slotted flap secured to the lower end of said rear panel, a close-sided T-shaped slot formed in and bounded by said slotted flap, a diagonally-cut end flap secured to each of said side panels and foldable to overlie portions of said slotted flap, a locking flap secured to the lower end of said front panel having an outer projecting locking portion extendable through said T-shaped slot with a diverging base portion overlying portions of said diagonally-cut flaps so as to lock the bottom flaps in a closed position; an outer flap formed integrally with an upper portion of said rear panel, said outer flap having a central tongue portion and a pair of flange portions, one spaced on opposite sides of said central tongue portion, formed on an outer edge of said outer flap and foldable along crease lines, an open portion formed along the crease line separating each flange portion from said outer flap, a pair of locking tabs formed integrally with said front panel and in alignment with said open portions, a foldable handle portion formed integral with said front panel intermediate said locking tabs, a pair of upper end side flaps each foldably secured to the upper end of one of said side panels, a forwardly open recessed portion formed in each of said side flaps in alignment with said locking tabs, said upper end side flaps foldable so as to lie substantially along the upper edge of said panels, said outer flap being foldable over said upper end side flaps with the tongue portion and flange portions thereof positioned within the carton adjacent the inner surface of said front panel, and said locking tabs being positionable through said open portions and within said recessed portions to positively lock the upper flaps in a closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,754 Wohlers Oct. 12, 1943 2,713,965 Acker July 26, 1955 2,974,852 Huss et a1 Mar. 14, 1961 2,987,235 McCallum June 6, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 638,470 Great Britain June 7, 1950 

1. A MAILABLE CARTON HAVING A PLURALITY OF BOUNDING WALL PANELS CLOSED AT ONE END AND AN IMPROVED POSITIVELOCKING END CLOSURE PORTION WHICH COMPRISES, AN OUTER LID FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH ONE OF SAID BOUNDING WALL PANELS, A CENTRAL TONGUE PORTION AND A PAIR OF SIDE PORTIONS FORMED ALONG AN OUTER EDGE OF SAID LID AND SEPARATED THEREFROM BY A PLURALITY OF CREASE LINES, A PLURALITY OF OPEN PORTIONS FORMED ALONG THE CREASE LINES ADJACENT SAID SIDE TONGUE PORTIONS WHEN SUCH TONGUE PORTIONS ARE FOLDED THEREALONG, A PLURALITY OF LOCKING TABS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH AND EXTENDING FROM A SECOND OF SAID WALL PANELS OPPOSITE SAID ONE WALL PANEL, A PLURALITY OF END FLAPS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH WALL PANELS INTERMEDIATE SAID ONE AND SAID SECOND WALL PANEL, A CREASE LINE SEPARATING EACH OF SAID END FLAPS FROM ITS RESPECTIVE WALL PANEL, SAID END FLAPS BEING FOLDABLE ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE CREASE LINES INTO A SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON PLANE AND EACH HAVING A RECESSED PORTION IN ALIGNMENT WITH A LOCKING TAB WHEN IN SUCH FOLDED POSITION, SAID LID POSITIONABLE OVER SAID FOLDED END FLAPS WITH THE TONGUE PORTIONS POSITIONED WITHIN THE CARTON ADJACENT AN INNER SURFACE OF SAID SECOND WALL PANEL, AND EACH OF SAID LOCKING TABS POSITIONABLE WITHIN ONE OF SAID OPEN PORTIONS TO LOCK SAID END FLAPS AND SAID LID IN A POSITIVELY LOCKED CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN SAID LOCKING TABS ENTER THE RECESSED PORTIONS OF SAID END FLAPS. 